Former President Donald Trump could well start hauling journalists before military tribunals if gifted another term in office, one expert warned Monday evening.
This comes after Trump reposted a meme on his Truth Social website, which stated that former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) "is guilty of treason" and should be "televised military tribunals."
"Why isn’t Trump’s outrageous call for televised military tribunals for his enemies leading every newscast? WHY?" warned Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, on X. "Never has a President proposed such a sick thing. Are you all completely numb to the dictatorial future Trump projects for America? Some of you will be featured in the tribunals — and not just covering them."
Cheney, a former chair of the House Republican Conference, turned on the former president after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and was one of the most prominent Republican members of the House to vote for his impeachment. She was ultimately ousted from House GOP leadership, and Republican voters later unseated her in the primary. She is one of a number of current and former Republican lawmakers who have been targeted as enemies by Trump and his supporters over perceived disloyalty.
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For her part, Cheney appeared unfazed by the former president's latest threats.
"Donald -- this is the type of thing that demonstrates yet again that you are not a stable adult -- and are not fit for office," she wrote in response.
Sabato's warning comes as the Supreme Court hands down a ruling that significantly limits the way presidents can be prosecuted for actions taken in office, which has triggered widespread alarm and creates a near-insurmountable obstacle to special counsel Jack Smith bringing his federal election conspiracy charges against Trump to trial before the November election can be held.
